Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has spoken out after visiting several detained opposition figures at Luzira Maximum Security Prison and Murchison Bay Prison, highlighting their condition and ongoing legal challenges.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, Nyanjura said she spent the day meeting Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale, Karl-Marx Makokha W’Mugeni, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and lawyer Male Mabirizi.
“Day spent in Luzira Maximum and Murchison Bay prisons, visiting Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale, Karl-Marx Makokha W’Mugeni, Salongo Erias Lukwago, and Lawyer Male-kiwanuka Mabirizi,” she said.
She noted that Besigye remained in high spirits despite his detention, dismissing claims circulating online about his alleged movements abroad.
“Dr KB is okay and strong spirited as often. I told him about how he was ‘in Geneva attending a meeting to overthrow M7’ yet at the same time he was appearing physically in court in Kampala,” she stated.
Nyanjura also pointed to dissatisfaction among detainees regarding the handling of their cases, suggesting that recent changes had not improved their situation.
“Like most of us, KB also thinks Kinobe is even worse than Emmanuel Baguma. More like jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire,” she added.
She highlighted the personal struggles faced by those in detention, revealing that Hajji Obeid Lutale had suffered a family loss.
“Hajji Obeid Lutale lost his mother-in-law today. Like other political prisoners who have lost loved ones while in detention, he unfortunately won’t be able to attend the burial,” she said.
On Erias Lukwago, Nyanjura raised concern over his physical condition ahead of a scheduled court appearance.
“Salongo Erias Lukwago has lost a lot of weight and his hair has turned grey. He will be at the High Court this Friday for his bail application hearing. Fingers crossed,” she noted.
She described Mabirizi as mentally strong despite his situation.
“I even told him he looks good and more handsome in prison. He replied that he gives himself peace of mind, and that he acknowledges anything is possible under the dictatorial regime including keeping him in prison for long even when he has no case to answer,” she said.
Nyanjura added that Mabirizi expressed hope for Lukwago’s release on medical grounds.
Meanwhile, she said Makokha remains uncertain about his case.
“Makokha is fine. He doesn’t know his fate because Baguma Emmanuel is just sitting on his case file,” she stated.